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Police have issued Andrew Fifita a consorting notice, making him the fourth NRL player this season to be given such a notice.
The incident looks likely to be a major headache for the Cronulla Sharks as they prepare to play the Melbourne Storm on Saturday in a match that will decide the minor premiership.
The NRL issued a short statement, titled ‘Warning to players’, regarding the situation:
NRL Todd Greenberg said tonight that the police warning to Andrew Fifita was another reminder to players and officials to be careful who they associate with.
“We are determined to work with police to ensure that criminal elements do not infiltrate our game,” Mr Greenberg said.
Fairfax media is reporting that the following was said in a police statement:
“Police from the gang squad Strike Force Raptor have issued a consorting warning to a 27-year-old NRL player under section 93x of the Crimes Act 1900.”
A consorting notice is an indication from police for individuals to cease any communication with convicted criminal offenders.
Continuing to communicate with convicted criminal offenders after one has received a consorting notice is an offence, with a possible penalty of three years imprisonment.
The other players to have received consorting notices from police this year are Corey Norman, Junior Paulo and James Segeyaro.
Cronulla as yet have not made any statement regarding the situation nor confirmed what penalty, if any, Fifita might receive.
Fifita would be a significant loss to the Sharks’ ambitions of claiming both the minor and major premierships.
With such an important game on the weekend and finals to follow shortly after, the Sharks will have to make the difficult decision between handing down a harsh penalty, and keeping the side competitive.
We will update with more information on this story as it becomes available.
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